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Velazquez Congratulates Pace University on Prestigious Research Grant

March 31, 2017

Velázquez Congratulates Pace University on Prestigious Research Grant

Washington, DC –Researchers at Pace University have been awarded a $378,520 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that will allow them to shed light on the primary causes of hearing loss and deafness.

"Hearing loss is a devastating and often debilitating condition that adversely affects too many Americans," said Congresswoman Velázquez. "I applaud the groundbreaking work conducted by researchers at Pace University and I'm confident these federal funds will go a long way in helping us better understand and treat hearing loss."

Over 30 million individuals in the United States alone suffer from hearing loss. In New York State, 185,731 individuals, approximately 1.5% of the state's population, suffers from some sort of hearing impairment.

For many of those who suffer from hearing loss, the underlying cause is due to the death or loss of sensory hair cells within the ear. In humans, these hair cells cannot regenerate, while in non-mammalian species including fish and reptiles, the cells can regenerate. Despite existing research, these differences are not yet well understood. This grant will provide researchers with the resources they need to better understand the distinction between mammals and non-mammals, a crucial step to developing possible regenerative therapies.

Founded in 1906, Pace University is known for its commitment to advancing liberal education while providing students and faculty with the unique opportunities offered in New York City. In this regard, Pace fosters a sense of community within Lower Manhattan while also preparing students to be citizens of the world. Pace recently received a $3.1 million endowment to build new state-of-the-art research facilities on their New York City campus.

"I am proud to have an institution like Pace University in our community," noted Congresswoman Velázquez. "Many of us know someone who is hearing impaired and not only will this research contribute to the scientific field, it has the potential to help treat our friends, family, and neighbors who are currently suffering from hearing loss."

The grant was awarded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders at HSS. HHS grants are dedicated to supporting research efforts in order to protect the public health and promote scientific breakthroughs.

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